THE BUSINESS SIDE OF GREEN: Peter Arpin, a partner of the moving company Arpin International Group, hosts ReNewable Now, a show that profiles all green-related business initiatives. It features discussions with experts who offer data and opinions as to why companies should adopt environmentally-friendly programs.

Peter Arpin is an environmental entrepreneur and spokesperson interested in the “business side of green.” In other words, he wants to help the world move towards a more sustainable future in the developing green economy.

That’s why he created ReNewable Now, a show that profiles green-related business initiatives. It features discussions with experts who offer valuable data and opinions as to why companies should adopt environmentally-friendly programs and how they can make steps to implement them.

“We focus on investments and the return on investments that companies, people, organizations and cities make in sustainability,” said Arpin, also a partner of Arpin International Group, a moving company he operates with his brother, Dave. “It can be retrofitting lighting, new technology, going paperless – anything that relates to reducing the use of energy, reducing waste and creating new services that are more sustainable and cleaner.”

With Arpin as the host, the show debuted online in May 2011 and has continued to grow. By August 2011 it made its transition to television, landing a slot on Rhode Island News Channel 5, where it became a regular part of the Sunday morning line-up.

It’s steady success led to broadcast TV, as Arpin recently signed a deal with the new Live Well Network of Providence, where the show airs Sundays at 1:30 p.m. It also airs on ABC 6 every Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Additionally, Arpin is featured during a live hour-long radio show each Wednesday beginning at noon on WARL 1320 AM and regularly blogs online at arpingreen.blogspot.com. All interviews are archived online and can be found by typing renewablenow.tv into the Google search engine.

To spread the word and engage more people, Arpin is doing a 12-city tour in Rhode Island. He’s visiting cities and towns to look at their history, natural resources, what they use, abuse or misuse, and then talk about how they are going to build their economies going forward.

“Our goal is to do a great job of profiling where they are, who the leaders are, the businesses, non-profits – people with passion making a difference,” he said.

As part of the tour, he highlighted Warwick earlier this month during five different segments and spoke with Mayor Scott Avedisian, as well as members of the mayor’s staff, such as

Planning Director Bill DePasquale, who discussed the Transportation Oriented Development that is happening as part of the Warwick Station master planning process, while Dan Geagan of the Planning Department, Sustainability Coordinator Margie Ryan, and Sewer Authority Director Janine Burke discussed various green initiatives in the city.

“We agreed to be part of his efforts due to the fact that we wanted to showcase the many positive environmental initiatives that are going on in Warwick,” Avedisian said. “It gives the city the opportunity to highlight work that is being done and showcase our initiatives and efforts.”

Further, he spoke to representatives from other local businesses, including Bishop Hendricken High School, Ocean State Theatre Company, NYLO Hotel and T.F. Green Airport a few weeks ago. There, he interviewed Interim president and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation Peter Frazier.

“We thought the airport was one of the major resources in Warwick that’s in existence,” Arpin said. “It’s expanding and is trying to do it in a clean manner. It’s a critical part of the state and the city.”

Also, company headquarters for Arpin International Group at 99 James P. Murphy Highway in West Warwick is committed to being green. The company, said Arpin, is the greenest moving company in the world.

“It is an extremely efficient building,” he said. “There are LEDs, lots of insulation, a natural use of sunlight and solar panels. When we started remodeling this building [at least two years ago] we were spending $20,000 a month for utilities. We’ve been able to cut that down to $8,000, and half of that comes from our solar panels.”

So, how does a man who co-owns a moving company become interested in a green initiative? According to Arpin, he’s always had a passion for the environment as well as for positive change.

“We’ve always tried to adapt to what’s around us,” he said. “We know we can’t be the same moving company that we were 112 years ago, so we’re always looking to get better. There’s a huge financial gain in doing these things. We do it because it helps us be more efficient, make more money, deliver better customer service and encourages employees to work more efficiently.”

The effort, Arpin said, must be collective. He believes everyone can make a difference for the better.

“It’s about everybody helping and doing their part,” said Arpin. “This state has the ability to be a leader in sustainability.”